Editing Autogyro (section)

== History ==

[[Juan de la Cierva]] was a Spanish [[engineer]], inventor, pilot, and aeronautical enthusiast. In 1921, he participated in a design competition to develop a bomber for the Spanish military. De la Cierva designed a three-engined aircraft, but during an early test flight, the bomber stalled and crashed. De la Cierva was troubled by the stall phenomenon and vowed to develop an aircraft that could fly safely at low airspeeds. The result was the first successful rotorcraft, which he named ''autogiro'' in 1923.<ref name="govCierva">{{cite web |url = http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/cierva/DI17.htm |title = Juan De La Cierva |publisher = [[Centennial of Flight Commission]] |year = 2003 |access-date = 28 January 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606112250/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/cierva/DI17.htm |archive-date = 6 June 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> De la Cierva's autogiro used an airplane fuselage with a forward-mounted propeller and engine, an un-powered rotor mounted on a mast, and a horizontal and vertical stabilizer. His aircraft became the predecessor of the modern [[helicopter]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://scihi.org/juan-de-la-cierva-and-the-autogiro/ |title = Juan de la Cierva and the Autogiro |first = Harald |last = Sack |date = 21 September 2014 |website = SciHi Blog |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425222935/http://scihi.org/juan-de-la-cierva-and-the-autogiro/ |archive-date = 25 April 2020 |url-status = dead |access-date = 9 June 2019 }}</ref>

=== Early development ===
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2011}}

[[File:Ciervas 1st autogiro.jpg|right|thumb|The first successful autogyro, the C.4, first flew in 1923]]

[[File:Pitcairn autogyro NC-12681at St. Hubert, Quebec. Aug. 19, 1932.jpg|right|thumb|A Pitcairn autogyro NC-12681 at St. Hubert, Quebec. 19 August 1932]]

After four years of experimentation, de la Cierva invented the first practical rotorcraft the autogyro (''autogiro'' in Spanish), in 1923. His first three designs ([[Cierva C.1|C.1]], [[Cierva C.2|C.2]], and [[Cierva C.3|C.3]]) were unstable because of aerodynamic and structural deficiencies in their rotors. His fourth design, the [[Cierva C.4|C.4]], made the first documented flight of an autogyro on 17{{nbsp}}January 1923, piloted by Alejandro Gomez Spencer at Cuatro Vientos airfield in Madrid, Spain (9{{nbsp}}January according to de la Cierva).<ref name="charLeg" />

De la Cierva had fitted the rotor of the C.4 with flapping hinges to attach each rotor blade to the hub. The flapping hinges allowed each rotor blade to flap, or move up and down, to compensate for [[dissymmetry of lift]], the difference in lift produced between the right and left sides of the rotor as the autogyro moves forward.<ref name="govCierva"/><ref name="govGyro">{{cite web |url = http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Rotary/autogiro/HE3.htm |title = The Contributions of the Autogyro |year = 2003 |publisher = [[Centennial of Flight Commission]] |access-date = 14 December 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101214081414/http://centennialofflight.gov/essay/Rotary/autogiro/HE3.htm |archive-date = 14 December 2010 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Three days later, the engine failed shortly after takeoff and the aircraft descended slowly and steeply to a safe landing, validating de la Cierva's efforts to produce an aircraft that could be flown safely at low airspeeds.

[[File:Cierva C.6, Madrid 2.jpg|thumb|A [[Cierva C.6]] replica in Cuatro Vientos Air Museum, Madrid, Spain]]

De la Cierva developed his [[Cierva C.6|C.6]] model with the assistance of Spain's Military Aviation establishment, having expended all his funds on the development and construction of the first five prototypes. The C.6 first flew in February 1925, piloted by Captain [[Joaquín Loriga]],<ref>[https://historiadeza.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/loriga-el-primer-viaje-del-autogiro/ "EL PRIMER VIAJE DEL AUTOGIRO"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225343/https://historiadeza.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/loriga-el-primer-viaje-del-autogiro/ |date=10 July 2018 }} ''MADRID CIENTIFICO'', 1924. Nº 1128, página 9</ref> including a flight of {{convert|10.5|km|mi|abbr=off}} from Cuatro Vientos airfield to [[Getafe]] airfield in about eight minutes, a significant accomplishment for any rotorcraft of the time. Shortly after de la Cierva's success with the C.6, he accepted an offer from Scottish industrialist James{{nbsp}}G. Weir to establish the [[Cierva Autogiro Company]] in England, following a demonstration of the C.6 before the British [[Air Ministry]] at [[RAE Farnborough]], on 20{{nbsp}}October 1925. Britain had become the world centre of autogyro development.

A crash in February 1926, caused by blade root failure, led to an improvement in rotor hub design. A drag hinge was added in conjunction with the flapping hinge to allow each blade to move fore and aft and relieve in-plane stresses, generated as a byproduct of the flapping motion. This development led to the Cierva C.8, which, on 18{{nbsp}}September 1928, made the first rotorcraft crossing of the [[English Channel]] followed by a tour of Europe.

United States industrialist [[Harold Frederick Pitcairn]], on learning of the successful flights of the autogyro, visited de la Cierva in Spain. In 1928, he visited him again, in England, after taking a [[Cierva C.8|C.8]] L.IV test flight piloted by Arthur H.{{nbsp}}C.{{nbsp}}A. Rawson. Being particularly impressed with the autogyro's safe vertical descent capability, Pitcairn purchased a C.8 L.IV with a Wright Whirlwind engine. Arriving in the United States on 11{{nbsp}}December 1928 accompanied by Rawson, this autogyro was redesignated C.8W.<ref name="charLeg" /> Subsequently, production of autogyros was licensed to several manufacturers, including the [[Pitcairn Autogiro Company]] in the United States and [[Focke-Wulf]] of Germany.

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-00996A, Hubschrauber Focke-Wulf C 19 "Heuschrecke".jpg|thumb|A [[Focke-Wulf]]-built [[Cierva C.19]] Mk.IV Autogiro]]

In 1927, German engineer [[Engelbert Zaschka]] invented a combined helicopter and autogyro. The principal advantage of the Zaschka machine is its ability to remain motionless in the air for any length of time and to descend in a vertical line so that a landing could be accomplished on the flat roof of a large house. In appearance, the machine does not differ much from the ordinary monoplane, but the carrying wings revolve around the body.

Development of the autogyro continued in the search for a means to accelerate the rotor before takeoff (called prerotating). Rotor drives initially took the form of a rope wrapped around the rotor axle and then pulled by a team of men to accelerate the rotor{{snds}}this was followed by a long taxi to bring the rotor up to speed sufficient for takeoff. The next innovation was flaps on the tail to redirect the propeller slipstream into the rotor while on the ground. This design was first tested on a [[Cierva C.19|C.19]] in 1929. Efforts in 1930 had shown that the development of a light and efficient mechanical transmission was not a trivial undertaking. In 1932 the Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company of [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania]], [[United States]] solved this problem with a transmission driven by the engine.

[[Buhl Aircraft Company]] produced its [[Buhl A-1 Autogyro|Buhl A-1]], the first autogyro with a propulsive rear motor, designed by [[Etienne Dormoy]] and meant for aerial observation (motor behind pilot and camera). It had its maiden flight on 15{{nbsp}}December 1931.<ref>[[Buhl Aircraft Company]] [http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2150978 site=www.rcgroups.com Buhl A-1 autogyro – 1931] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132226/http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2150978 |date=28 January 2015 }} and [http://www.gyroplanepassion.com/BuhlA-1.html The Buhl A-1 Autogiro] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208065538/http://www.gyroplanepassion.com/BuhlA-1.html |date=8 December 2015 }}</ref>

[[File:Buhl A-1 Autogiro - autogyro with rear push propeller engine - designer Etienne Dormoy and pilot James Johnson - 1931.jpg|thumb|right|[[Buhl A-1 Autogyro]] with rear push propeller (1931)]]

De la Cierva's early autogyros were fitted with fixed rotor hubs, small fixed wings, and control surfaces like those of a fixed-wing aircraft. At low airspeeds, the control surfaces became ineffective and could readily lead to loss of control, particularly during landing. In response, de la Cierva developed a direct control rotor hub, which could be tilted in any direction by the pilot. De la Cierva's direct control was first developed on the Cierva C.19 Mk.{{nbsp}}V and saw the production on the [[Cierva C.30]] series of 1934. In March 1934, this type of autogyro became the first [[rotorcraft]] to take off and land on the deck of a ship, when a C.30 performed trials on board the [[Spanish navy]] [[seaplane tender]] [[Spanish seaplane carrier Dédalo|''Dédalo'']] off Valencia.<ref>"The first ''Dedalo'' was an aircraft transportation ship and the first in the world from which an autogyro took off and landed." Naval Ship Systems Command, US: ''Naval Ship Systems Command technical news.''1966, v. 15–16, page 40</ref>

Later that year, during the leftist [[Asturian miners' strike of 1934|Asturias revolt]] in October, an autogyro made a reconnaissance flight for the loyal troops, marking the first military employment of a rotorcraft.<ref>Payne, Stanley G. (1993). ''Spain's first democracy: the Second Republic, 1931–1936''. Univ of Wisconsin Press, p. 219. {{ISBN|0-299-13674-4}}</ref>

When improvements in helicopters made them practical, autogyros became largely neglected. Also, they were susceptible to [[ground resonance]].<ref name="govGyro" /> They were, however, used in the 1930s by major [[newspaper]]s, and by the [[United States Postal Service]] for the mail service between cities in the northeast.<ref name="BladeRunner">
{{Cite news |last = Pulle |first = Matt |title = Blade Runner |newspaper = Dallas Observer |location = Dallas, Tx |volume = 27 |issue = 27 |date = 5 July 2007 |pages = 19–27 |url = http://www.dallasobserver.com/2007-07-05/news/blade-runner/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121002054326/http://www.dallasobserver.com/2007-07-05/news/blade-runner/3/ |archive-date = 2012-10-02 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

=== Winter War ===

During the [[Winter War]] of 1939–1940, the [[Soviet Air Forces|Red Army Air Force]] used armed [[Kamov]] [[Kamov A-7|A-7]] autogyros to provide fire correction for [[Artillery battery|artillery batteries]], carrying out{{nbsp}}20 combat flights.<ref name="Maslov-2015">{{Cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pSEEogEACAAJ |title = Soviet Autogyros 1929-1942 |last = Maslov |first = Mikhail |date = 2015 |publisher = Helion |isbn = 978-1-910294-65-9 |language = en |access-date = 8 November 2020 |archive-date = 25 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230225162718/https://books.google.com/books?id=pSEEogEACAAJ |url-status = live }}</ref> The A-7 was the first [[Rotorcraft|rotary-wing aircraft]] designed for combat,<ref>{{Cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=T3hCO8j9YfAC&pg=PA319 |title = How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare |last = Boyne |first = Walter |date = 2011-03-04 |publisher = Pelican Publishing Company, Inc. |isbn = 978-1-4556-1568-1 |language = en |access-date = 25 December 2021 |archive-date = 25 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230225162719/https://books.google.com/books?id=T3hCO8j9YfAC&pg=PA319 |url-status = live }}</ref> armed with one [[7.62×54mmR]] [[PV-1 machine gun]], a pair of [[Degtyaryov machine gun|Degtyaryov]] machine guns, and six [[RS-82 (rocket family)|RS-82 rockets]] or four FAB-100 [[Aerial bomb|bombs]].

=== World War II ===

[[File:Cierva-Duxford.JPG|thumb|right|Royal Air Force Avro Rota Mk 1 Cierva Autogiro C30 A, at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]], UK]]

[[File:Kayaba ka-1.jpg|thumb|Kayaba Ka-1]]

The [[Avro Rota]] autogyro, a military version of the Cierva C.30, was used by the [[Royal Air Force]] to calibrate [[Chain Home|coastal radar stations]] during and after the [[Battle of Britain]].<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=cBbnDiTUx6YC&q=autogyro+radar+callibration&pg=PA139 |page = 139 |title = Radar Development to 1945 |publisher = [[Institution of Electrical Engineers|IEE]] |last = Burns |first = R.W. |year = 1988 |isbn = 0-86341-139-8 |access-date = 8 November 2020 |archive-date = 25 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230225162720/https://books.google.com/books?id=cBbnDiTUx6YC&q=autogyro+radar+callibration&pg=PA139 |url-status = live }}</ref>

In World War II, Germany pioneered a very small gyroglider [[rotor kite]], the [[Focke-Achgelis Fa 330]] "Bachstelze" (wagtail), towed by [[U-boat]]s to provide aerial surveillance.

The [[Imperial Japanese Army]] developed the [[Kayaba Ka-1]] autogyro for reconnaissance, artillery-spotting, and anti-submarine uses. The Ka-1 was based on the [[Kellett KD-1]] first imported to Japan in 1938. The craft was initially developed for use as an observation platform and for artillery spotting duties. The army liked the craft's short take-off span, and especially its low maintenance requirements. Production began in 1941, with the machines assigned to artillery units for spotting the fall of shells. These carried two crewmen: a pilot and a spotter.

Later, the Japanese Army commissioned two small aircraft carriers intended for coastal [[anti-submarine weapon|antisubmarine]] (ASW) duties. The spotter's position on the Ka-1 was modified to carry one small depth charge. Ka-1 ASW autogyros operated from shore bases as well as the two small carriers. They appear to have been responsible for at least one submarine sinking.

With the beginning of [[Operation Barbarossa|German invasion in USSR]] June 1941, the [[Soviet Air Forces|Soviet Air Force]] organized new courses for training [[Kamov]] A-7 aircrew and ground support staff. In August 1941, per the decision of the chief artillery directorate of the [[Red Army]], based on the trained flight group and five combat-ready A-7 autogyros, the 1st autogyro artillery spotting aircraft squadron was formed, which was included in the strength of the 24th Army of the [[Soviet Air Forces|Soviet Air Force]], combat active in the area around [[Yelnya, Yelninsky District, Smolensk Oblast|Elnya]] near [[Battle of Smolensk (1941)|Smolensk]]. From 30{{nbsp}}August to 5{{nbsp}}October 1941 the autogyros made{{nbsp}}19 combat sorties for artillery spotting. Not one autogyro was lost in action, while the unit was disbanded in 1942 due to the shortage of serviceable aircraft.<ref name="Maslov-2015" />

=== Postwar developments ===

The autogyro was resurrected after World War{{nbsp}}II when Dr. [[Igor Bensen]], a Russian immigrant in the United States, saw a captured German U-boat's [[Focke-Achgelis Fa 330|Fa{{nbsp}}330 gyroglider]] and was fascinated by its characteristics. At work, he was tasked with the analysis of the British military [[Rotachute]] gyro glider designed by an expatriate Austrian, [[Raoul Hafner]]. This led him to adapt the design for his purposes and eventually market the [[Bensen B-7]] in 1955. Bensen submitted an improved version, the [[Bensen B-8M]], for testing to the [[United States Air Force]], which designated it the X-25.<ref name=x25>{{cite web |url = https://history.nasa.gov/monograph31.pdf#page=34 |first1 = Dennis R. |last1 = Jenkins |first2 = Tony |last2 = Landis |first3 = Jay |last3 = Miller |title = Bensen Aircraft Corporation X-25 |page = 33 |work = American X-vehicles: an inventory, X-1 to X-50 |publisher = [[NASA]] |date = June 2003 |access-date = 18 February 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425225303/https://history.nasa.gov/monograph31.pdf#page=34 |archive-date = 25 April 2020 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The B-8M was designed to use surplus [[McCulloch Motors Corporation|McCulloch]] engines used on flying unmanned [[target drone]]s.

[[Ken Wallis]] developed a miniature autogyro craft, the [[Wallis WA-116 Agile|''Wallis'' autogyro]], in England in the 1960s, and autogyros built similar to Wallis' design appeared for many years. Ken Wallis' designs have been used in various scenarios, including military training, police reconnaissance, and in a search for the [[Loch Ness Monster]], as well as an appearance in the 1967 James Bond movie ''[[You Only Live Twice (film)|You Only Live Twice]]''.

Three different autogyro designs have been certified by the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] for commercial production: the Umbaugh U-18/[[Air & Space 18A]] of 1965, the [[Avian 2/180 Gyroplane]] of 1967, and the [[McCulloch J-2]] of 1972. All have been commercial failures, for various reasons.

The [[Kaman KSA-100 SAVER]] (Stowable Aircrew Vehicle Escape Rotorseat) is an aircraft-stowable gyroplane escape device designed and built for the [[United States Navy]]. Designed to be installed in [[Naval aviation|naval combat aircraft]] as part of the ejection sequence, only one example was built and it did not enter service. It was powered by a [[Williams F107|Williams WRC-19]] [[turbofan]] making it the first jet-powered autogyro.

=== Bensen Gyrocopter ===

The basic [[Bensen B-8|Bensen ''Gyrocopter'']] design is a simple frame of square aluminium or galvanized steel tubing, reinforced with triangles of lighter tubing. It is arranged so that the stress falls on the tubes, or special fittings, not the bolts. A{{nbsp}}front-to-back keel mounts a steerable nosewheel, seat, engine, and vertical stabilizer. Outlying mainwheels are mounted on an axle. Some versions may mount seaplane-style floats for water operations.

[[File:bensengyrocopter001.jpg|thumb|right|Bensen Aircraft B8MG Gyrocopter]]

Bensen-type autogyros use a [[pusher configuration]] for simplicity and to increase visibility for the pilot. Power can be supplied by a variety of engines. McCulloch drone engines, Rotax marine engines, Subaru automobile engines, and other designs have been used in Bensen-type designs.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}

The rotor is mounted atop the vertical mast. The rotor system of all Bensen-type autogyros is of a two-blade teetering design. There are some disadvantages associated with this rotor design, but the simplicity of the rotor design lends itself to ease of assembly and maintenance and is one of the reasons for its popularity. Aircraft-quality birch was specified in early Bensen designs, and a wood/steel composite is used in the world-speed-record-holding Wallis design. Gyroplane rotor blades are made from other materials such as [[aluminium]] and [[Glass-reinforced plastic|GRP]]-based composite.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}

Bensen's success triggered several other designs, some of them fatally flawed with an offset between the [[centre of gravity]] and thrust line, risking a [[power push-over]] (PPO or buntover) causing the death of the pilot and giving gyroplanes, in general, a poor reputation{{snds}}in contrast to de la Cierva's original intention and early statistics. Most new autogyros are now safe from PPO.<ref name="eeaGyro">{{cite web |url = http://www.eaa.org/lightplaneworld/articles/1102_gyroplanes.asp |title = This is Not Your Father's Gyroplane |last = O'Connor |first = Timothy |publisher = [[Experimental Aircraft Association]] (EEA) |access-date = 12 February 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120315121402/http://www.eaa.org/lightplaneworld/articles/1102_gyroplanes.asp |archive-date = 15 March 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref><!--RFH page 21-3-->

=== 21st-century development and use ===

[[File:Utah Olympics Hawk 4.jpg|thumb|right|[[Groen Brothers Aviation|GBA's]] Hawk&nbsp;4 provided perimeter patrol during the [[2002 Winter Olympics]].]]

In 2002, a [[Groen Brothers Aviation]]'s [[Groen Hawk 4|Hawk&nbsp;4]] provided perimeter patrol for the [[2002 Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]] and [[2002 Winter Paralympics|Paralympics]] in Salt Lake City, Utah. The aircraft completed 67{{nbsp}}missions and accumulated 75{{nbsp}}hours of maintenance-free flight time during its 90-day operational contract.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=32b64ddd-24e0-487a-bbf7-dd62f386af7a |title = Olympic Security Aided by Groen Brothers' Hawk |website = Aero-News Network |date = Jan 2, 2002 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425230947/http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=32b64ddd-24e0-487a-bbf7-dd62f386af7a |archive-date = 25 April 2020 |url-status = dead |access-date = 8 January 2012 }}</ref>

Worldwide, over 1,000 autogyros are used by authorities for military and law enforcement. The first U.S. police authorities to evaluate an autogyro were the [[Tomball, Texas]], police, on a $40,000<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/scitech/110322-tomball-police-gyroplane |last = Supgul |first = Alexander |title = Tomball Police Equipped with Gyroplane |date = 22 March 2011 |access-date = 13 September 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110819145859/http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/scitech/110322-tomball-police-gyroplane |archive-date = 19 August 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> grant from the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] together with city funds,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last = Hauck |first = Robert S |date = July–August 2011 |title = Broadening Horizons |url = https://www.justnet.org/pdf/Airbeat%20July%20August%202011%20-%20Tomball.pdf |magazine = Air Beat Magazine |pages = 52–54 |access-date = 2019-08-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425231426/https://www.justnet.org/pdf/Airbeat%20July%20August%202011%20-%20Tomball.pdf |archive-date = 25 April 2020 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|lC87Nns4VIY|title=Tomball PD Gyroplane (Congressman McCaul Visit)}}</ref> costing much less than a helicopter to buy ($75,000) and operate ($50/hour).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/rotorhub/alea-2011-autogyro-debuts-in-the-sky-over-texas/9585/ |title = ALEA 2011: Autogyro debuts in the sky over Texas |date = 22 July 2011 |access-date = 13 September 2011 |first = Tony |last = Osborne |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120419000157/http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/alea-2011-autogyro-debuts-in-the-sky-over-texas/9585/ |archive-date = April 19, 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Hardigree |first = Matt |url = https://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/09/tomball-police-autogyro/ |title = Flying the Police Aircraft of the Future |magazine = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date = 13 September 2011 |access-date = 13 September 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425231855/https://www.wired.com/2011/09/tomball-police-autogyro/ |archive-date = April 25, 2020 |url-status = live }}<br>{{cite web |url = https://jalopnik.com/flying-the-police-aircraft-of-the-future-5795803 |title = Flying the police aircraft of the future |date = September 12, 2011 |last = Hardigree |first = Matt |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425232002/https://jalopnik.com/flying-the-police-aircraft-of-the-future-5795803 |archive-date = 25 April 2020 |url-status = dead |access-date = 26 April 2020 }}</ref> Although it is able to land in 40-knot crosswinds,<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.chron.com/business/article/Spinning-His-Wheels-Local-Dealer-Offers-2134357.php |title = Gyroplanes in reach of non-millionaires |work = [[Houston Chronicle]] |date = August 20, 2011 |last = Bretting |first = Sandra |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425234224/https://www.chron.com/business/article/Spinning-His-Wheels-Local-Dealer-Offers-2134357.php |archive-date = April 25, 2020 |url-status = live }}</ref> a minor accident happened when the rotor was not kept under control in a wind gust.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20140122X85936&ntsbno=CEN14TA116&akey=1 |title = CEN14TA116 - Full narrative |date = 23 April 2014 |access-date = 16 May 2014 |publisher = [[NTSB]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140529231803/https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20140122X85936&ntsbno=CEN14TA116&akey=1 |archive-date = May 29, 2014 |url-status = dead }}<br>{{cite web |url = https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20140122X85936 |title = CEN14TA116 - Probable Cause |date = 23 April 2014 |access-date = 16 May 2014 |publisher = [[NTSB]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140712012817/https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20140122X85936 |archive-date = Jul 12, 2014 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[File:Gyros and helis 7g Erbil.jpg|thumb|right|Autogyros and helicopters of the Kurdish Police]]

Since 2009, several projects in [[Iraqi Kurdistan]] have been realized. In 2010, the first autogyro was handed over to the Kurdish Minister of Interiors, Mr. Karim Sinjari. The project for the interior ministry was to train pilots to control and monitor the approach and takeoff paths of the airports in [[Erbil]], [[Sulaymaniyah]], and [[Dohuk]] to prevent terrorist encroachments. The gyroplane pilots also form the backbone of the pilot crew of the Kurdish police, who are trained to pilot on [[Eurocopter]] [[Eurocopter EC 120|EC&nbsp;120&nbsp;B]] helicopters.<ref name="IraqSecSummit">{{cite web |url = http://www.theaussieaviator.net/threads/iraq-defence-security-summit-2012.34229/ |title = Iraq Defence & Security Summit 2012 |work = The Aussie Aviator |date = 4 April 2012 |access-date = 4 June 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120718132404/http://www.theaussieaviator.net/threads/iraq-defence-security-summit-2012.34229/ |archive-date = 18 July 2012 |url-status = usurped }}</ref><ref name="akn_tphh">{{cite news |url = http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/278818/ |title = Kurdistan's traffic police to have helicopters |first = Fryad |last = Mohammed |work = AKNews |date = 17 December 2011 |access-date = 4 June 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120718145308/http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/278818/ |archive-date = 18 July 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="ibn">{{cite news |url = http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2012/02/28/5-traffic-helicopters-arrive-in-kurdistan/ |title = 5 Traffic Helicopters Arrive in Kurdistan |work = Iraq Business News |date = 28 February 2012 |access-date = 4 June 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120628075607/http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2012/02/28/5-traffic-helicopters-arrive-in-kurdistan/ |archive-date = 28 June 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

In{{nbsp}}18 months from 2009 to 2010, the German pilot couple Melanie and Andreas Stützfor undertook the first world tour by autogyro, in which they flew several different gyroplane types in Europe, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and South America. The adventure was documented in the book "WELTFLUG{{snds}}The Gyroplane Dream" and in the film "Weltflug.tv&nbsp;–The Gyrocopter World Tour".<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.weltflug.com/ |title = Weltflug – The Gyroplane Dream |access-date = 25 August 2019 |archive-date = 25 August 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190825021658/http://www.weltflug.com/ |url-status = live }}</ref>